Boric Acid Pesticides for Termites and Ants

by Lynn Anders

While ants are mostly a nuisance pest, termites can cause serious damage to your home. But you do not have to use harsh chemical pesticides to rid your home of ants and termites. You can use boric acid, which in small amounts is less toxic to humans, pets and the environment. Use it as a preventative to keep termites and ants out of your home or to combat an infestation.

What Is Boric Acid?

Boric acid is found naturally in rocks, soils, plants and even animals. Its chemical makeup includes the element boron. Much of the boron and borax mined today comes from a mine in Boron, California, about 75 miles north of Los Angeles.

External Pesticide

Boric acid is abrasive. When applied to areas that are frequently traveled by ants or termites, the granules stick to the exoskeleton of the insect. This abrades the exoskeleton, eventually killing the insect. As the termite or ant moves back to the colony, it spreads the boric acid to other members of the colony. Boric acid-based insecticide powders and gels can be found at most any home improvement store. Apply them in any location you know there are ants or termites. Many pesticide companies using less toxic or integrated pest management techniques will also use boric acid to combat ants and termites.

Internal Pesticide

When ants or termites eat a solution with boric acid in it, the abrasive powder damages their digestive tract and kills them. It may also cause damage to the nervous system of insects, reports the National Pesticide Information Center. It does not happen immediately, however. Leave the boric acid solution out for the ants to eat and they will take it back to the colony to share. Then it will kill the entire colony over a few days. You can buy boric acid ant bait at most any grocery or home improvement retailer.

Safety

Although boric acid is considered less toxic than many other chemical pesticides, there are still some safety concerns. When using boric acid pesticides, do not use it in areas where children or pets may get into it. Eaten in high doses, it has shown to cause liver, kidney, and endocrine issues in dogs, rats, mice and rabbits, reports the Environmental Protection Agency. Because it is abrasive, it most commonly can cause skin and eye irritation. Wear gloves, long sleeves and pants, and wear eye protection when using boric acid pesticide products.

About the Author

Lynn Anders has more than 15 years of professional experience working as a zookeeper, wildlife/environmental/conservation educator and in nonprofit pet rescue. Writing since 2007, her work has appeared on various websites, covering pet-related, environmental, financial and parenting topics. Anders has a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies and biology from California State University, Sacramento.

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